JP2524610Y2 - Cartridge type cartridge adapter - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a video tape cartridge and a single supply reel video cartridge.
A video tape cartridge adapter which is used to adapt the HS video cassette type to use this cartridge in a conventional VCR video tape machine.

More particularly, the present invention relates to the above-described adapter and an interlock mechanism that prevents the use of the video cartridge adapter until certain results occur within the video tape adapter.

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Consumer videotape media is typically distributed in a videocassette format. The video cassette contains both a supply reel and a take-up reel for storing a fixed amount of magnetic recording medium. In this cassette type, the tape on the supply reel is physically connected to the take-up reel. In operation, the tape is advanced to a take-up reel during operation of the videotape device. This "cassette" type package provides a convenient tape type for use. A disadvantage of this packaging scheme is that empty take-up reels are stored with the supply reel, which makes this type inefficient for the storage of magnetically recorded information.

The storage of magnetic recording media in a single spool video cartridge has been proposed as a way to increase storage efficiency for tape products. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,811 teaches an automatic threaded tape cartridge for storing digital magnetic tape.

A single supply reel video cartridge is also disclosed in British Patent Application No. 2,217,684A,
Fig. 3 shows a single spool video cartridge for use with an HS type adapter.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In comparison with conventional structures, the present invention provides a video cartridge having an interlocking structure that prevents the use of an adapter until the adapter is properly positioned for use. Disclose an adapter.

In operation, a user inserts a video cartridge into an adapter that activates a mechanism of the "interconnect" type. The interconnect connects the tape on the supply reel of the video cartridge to a take-up reel located inside the video cartridge adapter. This interconnection forms a kind of actuator for operating the interlocking mechanism.

In general, the interlocking mechanism monitors the position of the interconnecting actuator and performs the following three interlocking actions according to the position of the interconnecting actuator.

[0009] The interlocking actuator is located on the tape entrance door.
Operate to prevent opening of the access door until the interconnection is secure inside the take-up side of the adapter.

The door, when opened, on certain interlocking elements, prevents the interconnect from retracting from the take-up side of the adapter, and thus also attempts to withdraw the interconnect from the take-up side of the adapter. VC under
Make sure that R is not damaged.

The interlocking device further prevents the physical insertion of the adapter into the VCR until certain interlocking conditions are met.

While various interlocking features are incorporated into the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, each of these interlocking features can be used alone or in combination with other structures of the adapter.

[0013]

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the illustrated embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that other embodiments may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The background of the present invention resides in an adapter for converting a specialized video tape cartridge to an industry standard VHS format. This video cartridge is inserted into the adapter. The adapter is ready to be inserted into a conventional VHS videotape machine or VCR. The combination of cartridge and adapter, when inserted into a conventional VCR machine, is intended to be a functional equivalent of a conventional VHS videotape cassette and to mimic the operation of a VHS videotape cassette.

In use, the user places the cartridge in a door structure that is part of the video adapter. Closure of this door automatically engages the tape linkage inside the cartridge with the tape linkage associated with the take-up reel mechanism in the adapter. This action forms an interconnect.

It is important that the mechanical interconnect be advanced to the take-up reel prior to insertion of the adapter into the videotape machine, otherwise damage to the tapehead of the videotape machine may occur. Become.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the interconnect carries an actuator pin. This interconnected actuator pin passing through the forked arm has three interconnected interlocking actions. The split arm rotates to produce a first "door lock" effect. This "prevent insertion" actuation mechanism is connected as an auxiliary device to the "door lock" device and operates in tandem with the "door lock" action. When the adapter is inserted into the VCR machine, the VCR machine opens the tape entry and exit door so that a "third" suppression-action occurs.

The first effect prevents opening of the tape entry and exit door of the video tape cartridge adapter until the interconnection between the supply reel and the take-up reel is advanced to the take-up side of the adapter. This aspect of the invention is the "door lock" action.

The second effect prevents insertion of the adapter into the VHS machine until the interconnection between the supply reel and the take-up reel is advanced to the take-up side of the adapter. This is the "insertion-prevention" effect.

A third effect involves the suppression of interconnects inside the adapter during certain failure modes. This effect is achieved by disabling and immobilizing certain interlocking structures when the tape access door is opened. This third effect of stopping the interconnect at the take-up side of the adapter is referred to throughout as the "suppression" effect.

Operational Overview A video cartridge has a single supply reel disposed therein for storing magnetic tape media. A cartridge door 14 located within the adapter 10 receives the cartridge and places it inside the adapter when the cartridge door 14 closes. Another type of cartridge access means is 1989
US patent application Ser. No. 07/38, filed Jul. 17, 2016
No. 1,159.

The adapter 10 itself includes a housing having an upper portion 37 and a lower portion 38 having the take-up reel 12 disposed laterally therein. A specific coupling mechanism is coupled to the take-up reel and the cartridge, and couples the magnetic tape stored on the supply reel inside the cartridge to the take-up reel located inside the adapter.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, the take-up reel has a tether 16 attached thereto. The free end of this tether 16 terminates in a tether interconnect 18. The other end of the tether 16 is fixed to a take-up reel. The free end is passed across the front of the adapter defining the tape path.

A tether interconnector 18 at the end of the tether
Is captured and held on the video cartridge side or supply side of the adapter by a specific spring-loaded clamp 20.

The tape stored in the video cartridge has one end secured to a supply reel, the free end terminating in a tape interconnect 22.

The manual insertion of the video cartridge into the adapter and the closing of the door causes the tape interconnect 22 inside the cartridge to engage the tether interconnect 18 which is captured and retained on the supply side 13 of the adapter.

When the tape interconnect 22 and tether interconnect 18 are joined, the two interconnects form a tape / tether "interconnect", generally indicated at 24.

When the cartridge is fully seated in the adapter, the tape / tether interconnect 24
Released by the fastening clamp 20 and manually advanced to the take-up reel 12 through use of the take-up device 40.

The adapter includes a user-driven manual winding mechanism for moving the interconnect along the tape path. These structures provide a tape / tether interconnect 24
From the supply side 13 to the take-up side of the adapter to provide for insertion of the adapter into the video machine.

An understanding of the take-up gear train is not essential to an understanding of the present invention;
It should be understood that the interconnecting actuator structure can be used to move along the tape path. However, briefly, in the embodiment of FIG.
The user rotates a key 40 that transmits power to the clapper gear assembly, generally indicated at 41 in FIG. The clapper gear meshes with the gear flange of the take-up reel 12 to advance the interconnect 24 to the take-up side 15 of the adapter. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 398,068, 19
The application filed Aug. 24, 89 describes the associated winding mechanism in more detail. This patent application is incorporated by reference herein.

Once the tape / tether interconnect 24 is installed on the take-up reel as shown at 39 in FIG. 2, the adapter is ready to be inserted into the VHS machine. At this location, the tape / tether interconnect and associated structures form a winding surface for the magnetic media.

Reference is made to US patent application Ser. No. 07 / 381,159, filed Jul. 17, 1989, which describes the tape / tether interconnect apparatus in further detail.

With respect to door locking, all consumer VHS videotape or VCR machines can eject or eject a VHS videocassette if the tape entry and exit door located in front of the videocassette fails-closes. Are known.

In operation, the door locking action of the interlocking mechanism is in the form of a cassette that has become immobile by locking the tape access door in the closed position until the tape / tether interconnect is advanced to the take-up side of the housing. Take.

The tape entry / exit door 11 (FIG. 1) of the adapter 10 is connected to the tape / tether interconnect 24 from the supply side 13 (left side in FIG. 2) of the adapter 10 to the winding side 15 (right side in FIG. 2). Until the vehicle travels in the passage, it is held in the closed position by the door lock mechanism.

The interlocking arrangement is activated by the passage of the interconnect through passage 17 as best seen in FIG. The branched actuator 26 contacts and engages a portion of the interconnect 24. The continuous movement of the interconnect 24 along the tape path causes the bifurcated actuator 26 to rotate about a pivot 27. The rotation of the branched actuator activates the interlocking structure.

The counterclockwise rotation of the actuator 26 caused by the interconnect 24 causes the interlock arm 30 to move from the "door interlock" position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the "door normal" position shown in FIGS. And move.

In the "door interlocking position" of FIGS. 5 and 6,
Lock plate 28 is prevented from moving. Figures 3 and 4
In the "door normal" position of FIG.
The HS cassette is free to operate as usual.

The lock plate 28 controls the operation of the door 11. Lock plate 28 is hinged about axis 29, which is best shown in FIGS. The lock plate itself carries the two projections best seen in FIG. The first projection is shown as a door lock projection 31. The locking projection 31 cooperates with the recess of the tape access door 11 so as to hold the door in a closed position when the locking projection 31 is inserted into the inside of the door recess. The second projection is shown as release projection 32. The release projection 32 is operated by a normal VHS tape transport mechanism that pushes the release projection 32 to open the door 11.

The lock plate 28 is biased by a spring 23 which is shown separately in FIG. 1 and in a predetermined position in other figures. This spring 23 urges the lock plate 28 to a locked position indicated by the position of the plate 28 in FIGS. When the lock plate is in this position, the door 11 is locked normally. This normally locked position for the tape entry door prevents unintentional access to the tape path during routine handling of the adapter. Retraction of the locking projection 31 from the recess in the door is necessary to enable the tape entry door to be open. In normal operation, the VHS tape transport mechanism retracts the locking projection 31 from the door recess by "camming or pushing" the release projection 32. This "cam" operation causes the lock plate to rotate about its hinge axis 29, thereby retracting the lock projection 31 from the door recess, thereby causing the door 11 to open.

However, the camming action is prevented when the interlock arm 30 moves to the "door interlock" position behind the lock plate 28, as best seen in FIGS. In this position, the interlocking arm moves into contact with the lock plate 28 and prevents "camming", thereby taking the form of a VHS cassette that has become immobile.
The shape of the abutment surface 33 can easily be seen from the isometric views of FIGS.

Referring to FIG. 5, the interlocking arm 30 has an abutment surface 33 that is moved to abut an auxiliary abutment surface 34 located on the lock plate 28. When these two surfaces are moved into engagement, the lock plate 28
Cannot be moved by a videotape machine,
The VHS machine enters the drain cycle and releases the adapter.

It is desirable to have a pushing action between these two abutment surfaces so as to eliminate the movement of the lock plate 28 when in the "interlocked position". This effect is achieved by positioning the shaft 27 eccentrically from the center of the radius of the contact surface 33.

The lock arm is the "door interlock" of FIGS. 5 and 6.
It is desirable to have two stable positions which correspond to the position and the "door normal" position of FIGS. To achieve this, detent pawls are provided at each end of the movement or a toggle effect is obtained. The toggle action shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is preferred.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a toggle spring 35 is secured to both the bottom 38 of the adapter and the interlocking arm 30. This toggle spring 3
5 provides a stable over-center action when the interlock arm moves from one position to the other.

The spring 35 connects the arm 30 to the arm 3
Press against the surface of the stopper that limits the zero rotation. In FIG. 5, the stopper surface 36 is
Is formed on the lower member 38 of the adapter that limits the clockwise rotation of the adapter. Similarly, FIG. 6 shows the lower member 3 forming a stop surface 21 for clockwise rotation of the interlocking arm 30.
8 shows the molding structure on FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the tape / tether interconnect 24, which in the preferred embodiment represents an interconnect pin 25 extending above the bottom surface of the tape and tether, is shown.
It is shown. Preferably, this pin 25 is formed integrally with the tether 18. However, this pin structure may be located on tether interconnect 22 in other embodiments. This pin is a branched actuator 26
Arm between the branches of the door and the door in the correct position when the interconnector enters the winding side of the adapter.

Similarly, at the end of the rewinding process, the user removes the adapter from the VCR and manually moves the interconnect from the winding side to the supply side of the adapter to release the cartridge. This interconnecting pin 25
Moves the arm 30 from the "door normal" position to the "door interlocking" position.

As mentioned above, normal operation involves rewinding the interconnect from the adapter take-up side to the home position where the tether interconnects engage the fasteners 20 on the supply side of the adapter. . In normal operation, this step only occurs when the adapter is outside the VCR and the tape entry door is closed. But,
Certain failure modes may occur inside the VCR that involve attempting to rewind the interconnect 24 out of the winding side 15 of the adapter when the tape access door 11 is in the open position. This damages the VCR. Certain electronic / optical failures inside the VCR can cause this abnormal operation.

The restraining action of the interconnect is best shown in FIG. In the figure, the feed of the VHS tape "moves with a cam" of the release projection 32 so that the locking projection 31 is retracted from the door recess (not shown). At this point in the feed action, the feed raises the tape entry and exit door 11 to an open position that overcomes the bias of the torsion spring 19 (FIG. 1). Removal of the lock projection from the door recess and rotation of the door about the pivot prevents the lock plate 28 from rotating. A notch is formed in the lock plate that contacts the cooperating recess 47 of the interlocking arm 30. In most VCRs, the cam actuation of the release projection 32 corresponds to the door opening phase of the VCR actuation. As a result, the arm 30 does not move while the tape head is approaching the tape.

While most VCR tape feeds constantly push the door release pin 32 while the door is open, a small number of tape feeds do not work this way. If the VCR tape feed did not keep pushing the door release pin 32,
The release arm 30 is then not locked when the door is opened. As a result, the arms are free to undesirably toggle. 9 and 10 show additional structures that cooperate to hold the lock plate in the operative position. In FIG. 9, the door 11 is closed, and the lock plate is in a normal position where the lock pin is inserted into the door 11. Therefore, FIG.
Corresponds to the components being located in connection with an empty adapter outside the VCR machine. In FIG. 10, the interlock arm 30 has been rotated to the "door normal" position. The lock plate 28 is pushed in by the VCR feed, and the tape access door is rotated to the open position.

As shown in FIG. 10, the lock plate 28 carries a lock plate finger 52 that abuts against a column 53 carried on a door pivot 54. Therefore, during operation, rotation about the door rotation shaft 55 is prevented by interference between the column 53 and the finger 52. In this state, the lock plate 28 is locked and prevented from rotating about the axis 29, thereby ensuring the engagement of the abutment surface associated with the interlocking arm 30 and the lock plate indicated by reference numeral 46 in FIG. Will do.

Any attempt to retract the interconnect from the take-up side of the adapter will result in a collision between the actuator portion of the interconnect and the divergent member 26. Ensure that there is no connection between the tape and the tape interconnect prior to any other interconnect malfunction.
It is preferable to ensure that potential damage to the CR is minimized.

Thus, in operation, any operation error that attempts to retract the interconnect from the take-up side of the adapter while the tape entry and exit doors are open will preferably result in the tape and interconnect being contained within the housing. This eliminates the joint between the two, thereby protecting the video tape head.

About Insertion Prevention Action Insertion prevention prevents the user from inserting the adapter into the videotape machine until the tape / tether interconnect is fed to the take-up reel side of the adapter.

In the embodiment shown, a small anti-insertion interlocking tab 42 is rotated to extend out of the housing of the adapter 10 so as to impair the adapter's form factor, thereby interconnecting the adapter 24 with the adapter. The user is prevented from inserting the adapter into the videotape machine until it is secure inside the take-up reel.

The schematic diagram of FIG. 2 shows the insertion preventing interlocking element in plan view. In this figure, the insertion prevention tab 42 is shown in an "outside" position extending from the adapter bottom 38. The tab 42 retracts into the adapter when the interconnect is fed to the take-up side of the adapter.

In operation, the tab 42 receives the operation of the branched actuator 26. That is, when the interconnect 24 is on the supply side 13 of the adapter, it is driven to the "outer" position and when the interconnect is on the take-up side 15 of the adapter, it is driven to the "in" position.

As shown in FIG. 2, movement is transmitted from the ring drive arm 45 to a feed arm 49 mounted on the ring 44 that rotates the ring 44. A ring lever 48 is arranged on the ring and this element
2 is joined to the tab 42 via the socket joint 50 formed. It is important to know that the connection between the ring drive arm and the feed arm 49 does not fit in the socket. As a result, the tab cannot affect the position of the interlocking arm 30. For example, the tab is
Pushing into the adapter by hand against the restoring force of the arm does not affect the position of the interlocking arm.

In summary, the user loads the cartridge into the adapter door and closes the door. This closure creates an interconnect between the supply assembly and the take-up assembly. The user then manually sends the interconnection to the take-up side of the adapter that retracts the anti-insertion tab 42 and releases the lock plate 28, thereby releasing the "door interlock" and disabling the "insertion prevention" structure. . This arrangement of the adapter allows the user to insert the adapter into the VHS machine. A properly formed adapter will cam open the tape entry and exit door to provide a "hold" configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

 The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same structure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an adapter showing an interlocking structure and related elements to show a cooperative relationship of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the interlocking element in a plan view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a door lock structure in a door normal position.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a door lock structure showing a mechanism having the same structure as that of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a door lock structure in a door interlocking position.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a door lock mechanism showing a mechanism having the same structure as that of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the insertion prevention mechanism showing the insertion prevention tab in the door lock position.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the insertion prevention mechanism showing the insertion prevention tab at a position corresponding to the door interlocking position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a door lock structure showing an additional structure as another embodiment of the suppressing action of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a door lock structure showing an opened position of the tape entrance door.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Adapter 11 ... Door 12 ... Take-up reel 13 ... Supply side 14 ... Cartridge door 15 ... Take-up side 16 ... Tether 17 ... Passage 24 ... Interconnecting tool 26 ... Actuator 28 ... Lock plate 30 ... Interlocking arm 33 ... This Contact surface 34: Contact surface

Claims (6)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. An adapter for adapting a cartridge to a cassette type, comprising: a housing having a laterally arranged winding side and a laterally arranged supply side; A take-up reel disposed, cartridge receiving means disposed laterally on the supply side within the housing for receiving and retaining a single supply reel cartridge; and a cartridge receiving means coupled to the take-up reel and traversing the housing. A linking means for passing from the winding side to the supply side to define a tape path; and a tape access door connected to the housing, wherein the tape path is provided when the door is in a first closed position. A tape entry and exit door which covers the tape passage when the door is in the second open position and which is accessible to the tape passage; To prevent opening of the tape access door while the actuator means is on the supply side of the housing and allows the tape access door to be open while the actuator means is on the winding side of the housing. A cassette type cartridge adapter comprising: interlocking means; and actuator means coupled to the tether means and adapted to move along the tape path to actuate the interlocking means. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interlocking means is mounted within the housing proximate to the door and is movable from a first locked position to a second unlocked position. Lock plate means for locking the door in a closed position when the lock plate means is in the first locked position and releasing the door when the lock plate means is in the second unlocked position. A lock plate means for opening and closing, and the actuator means mounted within the housing in proximity to the lock plate means and from a first normal position when the actuator means is on the supply side of the housing. Actuated by the actuator means to a second interlocked position when on the winding side of the housing, the actuator means moving the housing When the lock plate means is on the supply side of the housing, the lock plate means prevents movement from the first position to the second position, and when the actuator means is on the winding side of the housing, Interlocking arm means for allowing movement from said first position to said second position. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interlocking means is mounted proximate to the door for partial rotation within the housing and moves from a first locked position to a second non-locked position. Lock plate means rotatable to a locked position, wherein the lock plate means locks the door in a closed position when in the first locked position, and wherein the lock plate means is in the unlocked position when the lock plate means is in the unlocked position. Lock plate means for releasing and opening the door and further having a lock plate abutment surface, mounted in proximity to the lock plate means for partial rotation within the housing, and by the actuator means; From the first normal position when the actuator means is on the supply side of the housing, the actuator means moves from the first winding position to the winding side of the housing. Interlock arm means adapted to be rotated to a second interlock position when the arm is rotated from the first position to the second position. Interlock arm means having an interlock arm abutment surface that engages with the arm. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuator is actuated by said actuator means to change a form factor of said housing while said actuator means is on said supply side of said housing, and wherein said actuator means is operated by said actuator means. A device further comprising anti-insertion means for restoring the form factor of the housing while on the winding side of the housing, wherein the actuator means is adapted to actuate the anti-insertion means. . 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said insertion preventing means is tab means disposed in said housing, said tab means being substantially entirely contained in said housing. The tab means is mounted for rotation depending on the position of the actuator means from a first inner position to a second outer position where the tab means extends outside the periphery of the housing, the outer position of the tab means being the outer position. A device comprising tab means corresponding to the actuator means located on the supply side of the housing, wherein the inner position of the tab means corresponds to the actuator means on the winding side of the housing. . 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tape path is adjacent to the tape path, the door is in the open position, and the actuator means is on the winding side of the housing. Suppression means for blocking
The apparatus further comprising a throttling means wherein said actuator means activates said throttling means.